Simple test output - CMake Error: The source directory does not exist - cmake

Question

When I create new project in Clion, cmake cannot find CMakeTmp directory.
Run Build Command(s):/usr/bin/cmake cmTC_df723/fast && No such file or directory
OS: Linux Mint 19 (Ubuntu based)
I have tried:
reinstalling gcc (now on version 8.3.0)
reinstalling cmake (now on version 3.15.2)
unset TMP from (CMake cannot compile test program as source directory doesnt exist)
set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER gcc)
set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Linux)
checked permissions to ClionProject subdirectories
Error output:
/usr/local/bin/cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_MAKE_PROGRAM=/usr/bin/cmake -DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=/usr/bin/gcc -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=/usr/bin/c++ -DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=/usr/bin/gcc -G "CodeBlocks - Unix Makefiles" /home/sacha/CLionProjects/testProject
-- The C compiler identification is GNU 7.4.0
-- Check for working C compiler: /usr/bin/gcc
CMake Error: Generator: execution of make failed. Make command was: /usr/bin/cmake cmTC_df723/fast &&
-- Check for working C compiler: /usr/bin/gcc -- broken
CMake Error at /usr/local/share/cmake-3.15/Modules/CMakeTestCCompiler.cmake:60 (message):
The C compiler
"/usr/bin/gcc"
is not able to compile a simple test program.
It fails with the following output:
Change Dir: /home/sacha/CLionProjects/testProject/cmake-build-release-system/CMakeFiles/CMakeTmp
Run Build Command(s):/usr/bin/cmake cmTC_df723/fast && No such file or directory
Generator: execution of make failed. Make command was: /usr/bin/cmake cmTC_df723/fast &&
Any help or directions appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

The error message
CMake Error: Generator: execution of make failed.
signals, that something wrong with CMake settings or its generator.
In the given case you have additional message
Make command was: /usr/bin/cmake cmTC_df723/fast &&
which means that cmake is run as a Make command.
This is wrong: cmake and make commands are not interchangeable.
Would you inspect the very first command line, you will find the source of that problem:
-DCMAKE_MAKE_PROGRAM=/usr/bin/cmake
Exactly it sets cmake executable for Make command. You need to fix that line (e.g. in CLion settings).